Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

(Written by David when he pretended to be crazy in front of Abimelech, so that Abimelech would send him away, and David could leave.)

Honor the Lord

David's Instructions to Solomon

2 Not long before David died, he told Solomon:

² My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. ³ Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go. ⁴ You and your descendants must always faithfully obey the Lord. If you do, he will keep the solemn promise he made to me that someone from our family will always be king of Israel.

^5 (A) Solomon, don't forget what Joab did to me by killing Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of Israel's army. He killed them as if they were his enemies in a war, but he did it when there was no war.^[a] He is guilty, and now it's up to you to punish him ⁶ in the way you think best. Whatever you do, don't let him die peacefully in his old age.

^7 (B) The sons of Barzillai from Gilead helped me when I was running from your brother Absalom.^[b] Be kind to them and let them eat at your table.

^8 (C) Be sure to do something about Shimei son of Gera from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He cursed and insulted me the day I went to Mahanaim. But later, when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I promised that I wouldn't kill him.^{[c] 9} Now you must punish him. He's an old man, but you're wise enough to know that you must have him killed.

Ask, Search, Knock

(Luke 11.9-13)

^7 (A) Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. ⁸ Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.

⁹ Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? ¹⁰ Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? ¹¹ As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.